Upcoming Events

Calling all aspiring young writers! The 2024 Braille Creative Writing Contest is now accepting entries. Write a short story, essay, or poem on any topic or re-purpose something you've written for school this year! Show off your creative writing talents for a chance to win cash prizes. 

This newsletter is for those interested in virtual or in person programs that are run specifically out of the Ontario West region.

Participants (ages 6-18) across BC are invited to join CNIB at BC Easter Seals summer camp in Squamish, with the costs covered by CNIB! The camp will take place July 15-19, 2024. 

Welcome to the "I Can…Hike" Challenge! This fun, family and community based program is designed to encourage participants to explore community trails, paths, parks, with family and friends.

Calling all knitters – whether you’re a beginner or experienced knitter! Come out and enjoy some time with your peers and knit! If you don’t know how to knit, no problem we can teach you! Every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the CNIB GTA Hub. 

If your interested in learning how to play the guitar or or ukulele, or even just advance your skills, these lessons are here for you! Each lesson will be 30 minutes. You are welcome to bring your own guitar/ukulele, and one will be available if needed.

Make new friends, or deepen existing friendships, find support from your peers, and develop more theological insight about biblical understanding. The Bible Study group meets every Thursday (September to June) from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom.

Everyone loves games. This games group meets to socialize playing 2 to 3 different lively word games for the hour. Sessions are led by our own professional game hosts (aka CNIB staff and volunteers). We embrace a safe fun time to exercise your mind. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Do you want a place where you can meet virtually and connect with other residents of Northern Ontario living with sight loss? Join us for Connecting and Improving The North Share! Share exciting places to visit that are accessible and friendly, places are less accessible to the sight loss community and what accessibility changes you'd like to see. Third Thursday of every month from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. 

Do you enjoy music? Well, Name that Tune is the game for you! Name that tune is a fun game where people can join in to listen and try to name as many songs as they can. First and third Thursday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Join us for some kitchen fun at the CNIB Ottawa Hub! We will create a new recipe each month and enjoy eating our baking and socializing with peers. Open to participants between the ages of 12-18 in the Ontario East region. Third Thursday of every month from 6:30 to  8 p.m. at the CNIB Ottawa Hub.

Join us to play games, chat, and make new friends. Please note that this program is for individuals between 10-14 years of age. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Adaptive Dance instructor, Tiffany Tjosvold, will be leading a Zoom-based, high energy, seated dance class for participants ages 19+. This class is suitable for all fitness levels. Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

If there is one thing we know how to do at CNIB Lake Joe, it is laughing! Join us for some hilarious drama fun as we play virtual improv games together. Join us on Thursdays from 7 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

A social group for those who want to keep connect after Seated Dance Fitness has ended. We invite participants to stay and socialize with each other. You can talk about the session, get to know one and other and socialize with the community across Canada.

Designed for knitters/advanced knitters to work on projects, learn from peers, and enjoy knitting fellowship. Every Friday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

This is a safe and supportive place for guide dog handlers from across the country to get together and chat. Share the joys and challenges of being a guide dog handler as well as tips to keep our guide dogs happy and engaged. Biweekly on Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Join us every Friday for a virtual meet up in the prairies with a friendly bunch of people looking to connect with others across the country! Make new connections and find friendships and enjoyable conversation. The focus is on a positive, inclusive, and safe support network of people who have experienced sight loss. Everyone is welcome. Virtual Coffee Group meets every Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Central Time on Zoom. 

A call-in social group. Each session will have a topic of discussion. This program is designed for participants 19+. Biweekly on Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

Come join us on alternating Fridays for our Song Bingo Game Night! All you need to participate is access to phone or Zoom and a bingo card at home or online!  Feel free to play as a family or house! There will be prizes for the first 3 bingo winners of each game and those who correctly name the most tunes! This program is open to participants of all ages. Biweekly on Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Pacific Time on Zoom.

The Saturday Art Jam is a new safe space for CNIB youth (ages 14-21) to explore their creativity. Artists and non-artists are welcome. Participants will take part in structured accessible art and craft sessions with a focus on fun. The Saturday Art Jam is also a social space and we encourage attendees to build confidence and resilience in this supportive environment. Join us on the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB GTA Community Hub

March to the beat of your own drum and join us one Saturday a month for in-person bucket drumming and drumline workshops. No prior music experience or knowledge is required! Workshops will be run by professional instructors from Bandology, a non-profit dedicated to providing more music for more kids. Saturday Brampton Beats meets every on the third Saturday of every month from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern Time at the CNIB Brampton Community Hub.

Join host Kelly MacDonald as he shares a blast from the past! Listen to all the old radio shows that made the genre so popular. Everything from mystery, comedy, westerns and holiday specific shows. Sit back and enjoy! First and third Sunday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

The Beyond Sight Series feature monthly virtual presentations from various services, businesses and organizations in our community. Each month, we will offer a different topic and speaker will join us to discuss a variety of topics. Examples include: RDSP’s, wills, budgeting, nutrition and lots more. Fourth Monday of every month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom.

If you have a green thumb (or you'd like to have one), then this gardening discussion group is for you! We swap success stories, talk about our favorite plants, and generally 'dish the dirt' on all things horticultural. For all levels of garden enthusiasts. Whether you patio or container garden, or have lots of gardening space, the time in this group will just buzz by. Every Monday from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Accessible yoga for most skill levels from the comfort of your home. Check out accessible yoga if you are looking for a classic yoga class with descriptive prompts. Designed for people with vision loss, the instructor will verbally walk you through all the poses and movements. Please bring a yoga mat, a bottle of water, and your breath! Accessible Yoga meets every Monday from  5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Love cooking or would love to know more about cooking? Join this group to share ideas, tips, tricks and the joy of cooking and baking! Let's Talk Cooking meets on Zoom, every Monday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Monday from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

The Round Table is a Hamilton based group offering friendly conversation and encouragement. It is designed for individuals who are blind or low vision to connect with others who are experiencing similar circumstances. Meetings will tie in good practices, information, discussions, caring and support. The Round Table meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Zoom with one in-person meeting every month. 

Join us for conversation, laughter, and a chance to reminisce about your favourite CNIB Lake Joe memories. Pour yourself a coffee, tea, or beverage of choice, login and connect with your friends from Lake Joe. Coffee Break meets every Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering. 

The informal coffee chat group is a chance to socialize and meet new people. It is a very warm and welcoming group of regulars and newcomers. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Are you craving that social interaction you normally get from going for coffee with friends ? We are here to keep the virtual conversation going post pandemic! Since we've gotten to know each other, lets stay connected and share some good news stories, discuss practical tips and successes with others living with vision loss. Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

If you are in the Windsor area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This group will meet in-person once a month at Lions Manor Apartments.

If you are in the Toronto area and are looking for conversation, support and good practices, please sign up for our waitlist. This peer social group will meet in-person at the CNIB GTA Community Hub.

Join us for an informative presentation about the CNIB’s Reconciliation Action Plan, Reconciliation – The Way Forward, and what CNIB is currently doing to work toward support and inclusion for those living with the intersectionality of sight loss and Identifying as Indigenous. Tuesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the CNIB Sudbury Hub.

Accessible products are available to test and purchase by debit or credit (no cash). Tuesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the CNIB Sudbury Hub.

Join CNIB SmartLife as we feature the latest innovations in assistive technology – we bring the technology fair to you in this virtual monthly event. In April, we are excited to feature: The Tactonom Reader, by Inventivio. Tuesday, April 23 from 12 to 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Have you heard of  Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario or VLR? Don't know if you should be registered with the organization, or how to? Come and join us for coffee and snacks as you learn about the programs and services offered by VLRC. Tuesday, April 23 from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at the CNIB Sudbury Hub.

Want to get the most out of your new iPhone or iPad? Apple’s smart devices are full of handy accessibility features, from magnification to screen reading! CNIB SmartLife is hosting a series where we show you what you can do with your device and customize it for your unique needs. Two sessions to choose from! Weekly workshops are offered every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Book Club for participants in the Belleville and surrounding area for those who love to read and would like to connect with others to discuss books. The Belleville Book Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Come and join Linda monthly to prepare different dishes you can eat yourself or share with family and friends. For a truly interactive experience, Linda welcomes you to cook and bake along with her in the comfort of your own kitchen! With an ILS often in attendance, bring along your questions as you might just learn a new trick to help you out. Fourth Tuesday of every month from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

We're hosting a special Cooking With Linda session during our CNIB Sudbury Mobile Hub event! Participants will have the chance to follow along with a recipe and help prepare a snack in the kitchen. Tuesday, April 23 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the CNIB Sudbury Hub.

Music Therapist Erin Koop hosts weekly sessions on Zoom for children and youth participants across the country. These interactive sessions are filled with songs, stories, and more!  Get ready to make some music!  This group runs on Zoom, every Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. Pacific Time. 

Come together once a month for a trivia night! There will be a variety of different trivia games played. Fourth Tuesday of every month from 7 to 8 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Zoom

Chair yoga is a good option for anyone with injuries or with mobility issues. You will need comfortable clothing and a sturdy chair without arms or armrests for this class. Techniques include breath work, gentle movement with repetition, postures, sitting meditation and relaxation. No experience required. Chair Yoga meets every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Come join us, your hosts Kevin, David and Brian, as we resume the widely popular – Tech Talk Tuesday. In these hour-long, weekly Zoom sessions we will discuss accessible technology as well as its practical application in every day life. You don’t need to know a lot about technology: you can just listen if you like. The group consists of beginners as well as advanced users of accessible technology. All questions and ideas are welcomed. Every Tuesday from 7 to 8 p.m. Atlantic Time on Zoom. 

Join us for a virtual Lake Joe campfire with traditional campfire songs and stories. Fun for all ages!

Want to get the most out of your new iPhone or iPad? Apple’s smart devices are full of handy accessibility features, from magnification to screen reading! CNIB SmartLife is hosting a series where we show you what you can do with your device and customize it for your unique needs. Two sessions to choose from! Weekly workshops are offered every Tuesday from 7 to 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Zoom.

Start your journey seeking a part-time or summer job with CNIB Learning Academy’s Youth Job Club!  There is no time like the present to begin your work experiences. Having a part-time or summer job will put some money in your pocket, and you give valuable skills that employers are looking for. Facilitated by staff with sight loss, this five-session program will give participants an edge in looking for your first summer or part-time job. Virtual sessions are hosted on Zoom every Tuesday (April 2 to April 30) from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Karaoke is like an instant party...let's belt out some tunes together. Join us on Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. Eastern Time. Zoom information will be provided after registering.